Disney Junior's 'Give A Book, Get A Book' to donate up to 1 million books to U.S. communities in need

by jmaloni

Submitted

Mon, Apr 14th 2014 03:45 pm

LeVar
Burton, David Arquette, Tim Gunn and Ariel Winter help unveil nationwide
program

Disney
and First Book will provide for the donation of up to 1 million books to U.S.
communities in need and will present families with free digital books from
Disney Publishing Worldwide, through a new program: Disney Junior's "Give a
Book, Get a Book."

Storytelling
is the foundation of the initiative, which is designed to inspire parents and
caregivers to spend time each day sharing stories that help develop the
critical thinking, vocabulary and language skills a preschooler needs. The
program includes a redemption code offering a free Disney Digital book and a
way for families to experience giving back by donating books to the community
of their choice. Disney Junior's "Give a Book, Get a Book" also includes public
service announcements, free storytime events at Boys & Girls Clubs of
America and Disney Store locations, and interactive Radio Disney events.

The program was announced by Nancy Kanter, Disney
Junior Worldwide executive vice president and general manager and First Book
board member Dr. Martha Bernadett during the Disney Social Media Moms
Celebration at the Disneyland Resort.

"With each and every one of our Disney Junior
series, we let a child experience the magic and learning that comes with a
story well told, and deepen the emotional connection and sense of wonder and
adventure that have defined storytelling at the Disney company for generations,"
Kanter said. "The 'Give a Book, Get a Book' program is a way for families
to share stories and enter the world of giving in a simple yet effective
way."

Coinciding
with the program announcement, lifelong children's literacy advocate LeVar
Burton, cofounder and curator-in-chief of the award-winning Reading
Rainbow app,
spoke about the importance of
building literacy and of storytelling in the digital age. Disney Junior stars
Ariel Winter and Tim Gunn (of "Sofia the First") and David Arquette
(of "Jake and the Never Land Pirates") also participated in a
storybook reading for event attendees and their families. Genevieve Goings (of
Disney Junior's "Choo Choo Soul"), who hosts the "Give a Book, Get a
Book" public service announcements on Disney Channel, emceed the event.

"There are few things more powerful than
stories to connect children to the world and help them imagine what they can
become," said Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO of First Book. "Yet,
books and stories are in short supply for kids in need. That's why we're proud
to be joining forces with our friends at Disney to put brand new books into the
hands of children who so desperately need them."

Families
can now take advantage of an all-new website, GiveaBookGetaBook.com, featuring tools and resources for parents and
caregivers that promote the value of storytelling and offer interactive
activities.

Beginning
April 21 in Disney Store locations and later this summer at other nationwide
retailers, there are two ways to "Give a Book, Get a Book." For a limited time,
with the purchase of any specially marked Disney Junior book or product,
receipts or packaging will include a redemption code allowing kids and families
to direct the donation of a book to First Book in the region of their choice
and to access a free Disney Digital Book to share as a family. Additionally, "Give
a Book, Get a Book" bookmarks with redemption codes will be distributed to
visitors at participating public libraries and Radio Disney events throughout
the summer. With the help of families across the U.S., Disney and First Book
will donate up to 1 million books through this program.

Also
starting April 21, Disney Store locations will provide an enhanced interactive
"Storytime Powered by Give a Book, Get a Book," featuring two new stories from Disney Junior favorites
"Sofia the First" and "Jake and the Never Land Pirates." In
addition to the in-store readings, Disney Store locations will host special
storytime events at Boys & Girls Clubs of America in multiple markets
across the U.S. Children at these events will be given a free book along with a
redemption code bookmark.